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UrbanEater
UrbanEater is a community built on the passion of merchants, food, travel and leisure to promote life's greatest pleasures.
Find your Beer Guy (or Gal) #CCBW
Whether you are a beer advocate or just as content slugging PBR tall boys on the weekends, there is something for everyone to celebrate during Chicago Craft Beer Week. This is the 3rd Annual Chicago Craft Beer Week paying homage to more than 200 participating restaurants and breweries in the Chicagoland area. It gives patrons the chance to try out new brews, check out new neighborhoods, and to my purpose, find a beer guy. Drink, meet, and be merry. This week is perfect for wobbling around town a little tipsy and high-five the amazing dudes that put their blood, sweat, and tears in their craft. (Figuratively)
Everyone dreams of being that person in conversation when your fellow party-goers say “Ugh, I don’t know what to drink!?” and you whimsically respond, “Don’t worry, I’ve got a beer guy”. The savior of the day, bringing everyone to their favorite watering nook and polishing off bottles of crafty goodness telling the story of how you had a beard length competition with the Brewmaster during #CCBW. You are a hero. Creating an experience like sipping a fine wine from the barrels of a Napa Winery and bringing back a few cases for your lawyer friends to try. Having a beer guy is a true testament of American culture and the value of keeping your community local. So please, join us for #CCBW and find your beer, find your guy, and support them and their craft.
#CCBW kicks off today Thursday 17th and goes through the 27th. Find out more information on the How To Participate Page including where to pick up your lanyard and how to make the most out of #CCBW.
Cheers Folks!
If you have any questions, comments, or dreams please email me, Jason Klarfeld at jklarfeld@urbaneater.co
How To Stay Svelte In A Big City
Big lights, big city, big guts. The city of Chicago is not necessarily known for its health conscious people and lean cuisine. I don’t know another city in the country where every block there are about 5 restaurants featuring some sort of beer, wing, or pizza deal. It is obnoxious at times, but it’s also one of the reasons that make this city so great. Everything is accessible, comfortably priced, and you better damn well believe its delicious. But how do you manage your indulgences in a city where every week a new restaurant opens up featuring a pork three way sandwich, chorizo calamari, or truffle aioli sweet potato fries? That’s what they are known for you have to try them! I bet you said to yourself “oooh, that does sound good” too. See what I mean? One of the reasons I was hesitant to move back to Chicago is because of how hard it is to stay in good shape year round. I feel like I am constantly working out everyday to stay fat and make sure I don’t have to take cholesterol medicine at 25. It is especially hard for someone like me in the line of work I am in and the interest I have in eating the best, tastiest, and unique cuisines in town. I happen to have a laundry list of restaurants I have been to that I should probably start selling. Last time I lived in Chicago working the stress induced 60-hour workweek, eating at the best restaurants, and not being phased that a Lou Malnatis pizza has enough density to crush a Fiat Convertible, you could imagine I was not feeling too good about myself. This time ladies and gentleman it is going to be different. I have found a way to eat what I want at restaurants and stay in decently good shape. After all you have to enjoy life somehow, right?
Moving away from Chicago last March I picked up eating farm fresh local goods. Living in Southwest Florida for a split second I got a taste of the healthy life by visiting and becoming friends with the people at the farmers markets and some of the farmers themselves. We would grab our bok choys, Japanese baby eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs and really appreciate what we could create. I would go to my friend Simon’s surf shack, we would make our own roasted tomatillo salsa, grill some skirt steaks and tortillas, and listen to some reggae while enjoying the company of friends over some Modelo’s and ocean breeze. It was a good life. I remember there was one time I went to a pizza party at a mutual friends house who had a homemade brick oven in his backyard. We even picked the veggies and herbs we wanted on our pizza from his garden he started in the bow of a boat. It was awesome. Ever since, I have been supporting local farmers and highlighting their products in my own cooking creations. Little did I know, with a normal workout routine, eating this type of farm fresh food, cooking for myself even if it was pizza and some beer, I was starting to see some good results.
Moving back to Chicago, living in a high rise, and not having great weather year round, it is harder to find that product and make the most out of it. You can hit the gym, bikram yoga, and take a crossfit class, but not much progress is going to be made unless it starts with your diet. Now I am no David Zinczenko or follower of all of these rules, but I do know what it takes to get in shape in a big city.
Join a CSA
First order of business is to join a CSA (community supported agriculture). Community-Supported Agriculture is also known as “subscription farming.” You buy a subscription from a local farmer just like you buy a subscription to a magazine. But instead of receiving an issue each week, you receive a “share” of fresh, locally grown or raised fruit and/or vegetables. Some farmers also offer CSA subscriptions for farm-fresh eggs, and/or meats. This way you are almost forced to use your products to make your meals with and figure out what to make with what you are given that week. You are obviously not going to get tomatoes in May or avocados in December so you really never know what you are going to get. Not to mention it is less expensive then going to the grocery store every week.
Here is a link to CSA’s in the Chicagoland area http://www.familyfarmed.org/find-a-chicago-area-csa/
Save it for the Weekends
This is probably the hardest part for me. How do I keep my indulgences for the weekend when my weekends sometimes can start Monday night? It really is a double edge sword from what I am realizing. If you pass up on 25 cent wing trivia night at Kincade’s on Thursday you are considered a hermit, but if you go you are just going to pound pitchers and wings and ruin your streak. There is no right answer here but there is a way to control it. Beer is the hardest part about Chicago- we love our beer. With Craft beers popping up left and right it is hard to avoid a delicious brewsky during the game or just out with the boys. In order to minimize your intake, drink a nice dry stout like a Guinness. Dark is deceiving but it actually is one of the best beers for you. Try and eat beforehand and come a little late so your friends are already done eating so you are not tempted for round two. There really is no easy way around this one, but think of it as saving money by eating at home and still being able to enjoy a few beers out with the boys. Wait for the weekends to have your day trolley beer fests and Kuma burgers.
Find you Spirit and drink it straight
One of the biggest things for me is avoiding beer. It is convenient, cheap, and the best drink alongside a meal. I’ve noticed the largest difference in switching over to a spirit with less calories and drinking it on the rocks. My drink of choice is a Stoli on the rocks with lemon or a Glen 12 scotch straight up. Takes some real training to get use to but you will notice that you are not packing on the calories, having a much more clear headed buzz and really limits the hangover if you able to control your late night cravings. Which leads me into my next point of action.
Don’t eat late
This should be a no-brainer but if you are under the influence and don’t give a crap it is hard to avoid. If I am out on the town and need a quick bite I try not to walk. If I walk, I stop somewhere, enough said. Grab a cab or take a bus. When I get home and need something, I freeze peanut butter balls on parchment paper with a little chocolate chip inside. This is a sweet, protein packed, and delicious mouth popper for those types of nights. During the week, drink a lot of water and try and get to bed early. It seems to work for me.
Go to the Green City Market
Lastly, one of my favorites that does go on year round whether it is inside or out is the Green City Market. Farmers, artisans, and other merchants from the Midwest gather to provide the best craft goods from meats to fish to pastas to veggies. Eating this sort of pure, organic, and healthy food will instantly help with your diet and quality of food. Building relationships with the vendors will also give you more of an appreciation to what they do for a living and make you want to eat better and support them. It all starts with what you eat and if you can manage that in your own home, the temptation of everything else doesn’t seem that difficult.
(Photo: Courtesy of Banksy)
If you have any questions, comments, or dreams please email me, Jason Klarfeld at jklarfeld@urbaneater.co
Need a Kiss?
Did you have a lonely Friday night?
Then come join UrbanEater and the Green City Market this Saturday to kick off the first annual outdoor market! Hunt me down for as many chocolate kisses your little heart can handle, UrbanEater stickers, and a high 5 full of passion and positive energy!
10:30am Cooking Demo with Sarah Gruenenberg of Spiagga and Top Chef!
Not in Chicago?
No worries. Find our awesome merchants on the website and see what market is closest to you. From LA to Brooklyn and everywhere in between.
Stay up to date with UrbanEater food, products, and news by joining us on facebook, twitter, instagram, blog, and pinterest. Any questions please email me at hello@urbaneater.co.
Come support our farmers and artisans. I hope to see you this Saturday for a kiss.
Also if you see Ian on the street give him a big kiss too, he was first to guess correctly on our facebook contest.
Cheers,
The UE Team
Favorite Sangwiches of All Time! Cue the Pyrotechnics!
I realize that I spelled “sandwiches” with a “G” instead of a “D”. That is because the essence of life between two slices of whatever deserves a little extra twang when being discussed in such high regards. I appreciate the cautious error pointed out from my friends, but I purposefully skipped from the “D” over the “F” and with humbling pride typed “G”. Sangwiches. Ugh, I still get the squiggly red line under the word- when will Microsoft Word learn! If you are looking for my favorite $5 foot long you came to the wrong blog, brother. This is about the best sangwiches in the world, the power of the all American creation that has taken us by storm. Let there be light, here are my Top 10 favorite Sangwiches of all time! Sorry if there is too much energy in this post, I am listening to 90’s SoCal punk while writing. Hit it!
10. Mulato Cubano, Cha Chas Chicken- Los Angeles, CA
(Photo: courtesy of flickr.com)
I first went here when I was lingering around the streets of Santa Monica when all of a sudden you enter a colorful chic stand serving up authentic Caribbean food. Juicy shredded chicken breast, cheese, pickles and mustard pressed between freshly baked Cubano bread. Makes you just want to Cha Cha Cha!
And we are off.
9. Mindy’s Cheddar Melt, Hot Chocolate- Chicago, IL
(Photo: courtesy of chicagotribune.com)
Okay, if a top honored pastry chef can woo me with a sangwich then you know it has to be good. This sangwich is simple, and overloaded with hymns of flavor and surprises. The sweet and grainy, traffic-coned, orange 6 year old cheddar is perfectly melted between two slices of black licorice pumpernickel bread drizzled with a touch of honey syrup. That’s how you take a childhood favorite and kick it up 50 gazillion notches.
Lets keep movin!
8. Pig’s Ass Sandwich, Casellula- New York City
(Photo: courtesy of seriouseats.com)
Paper thin shavings of Fiscalini Cheddar, nutty Fol Epi, and pig’s ass, yes pig’s ass, with house-made bread and butter pickles gives just enough acidity to break through the salty goodness of this sangwich.
Pickin’ up the pace!
7. Thai’d Balls, Meatyballs Mobile- Chicago, IL
(Photo: courtesy of yelp.com)
This one you actually have to find. In Chicago, the Meatyballs truck scurries around the city of Chicago serving up amazing meatball sangwiches to the hard working and hungry community. The Thai’d Balls Sangwich boasts real Thai flavors with coconut milk covered Turkey meatballs, Thai chili sauce, and sweet peppers. It makes for a mouthful of culture and an old Italian American favorite. Sewadee Kup Mutha what!
Are you sweating yet? Lets go!
6. Pot Roast Sandwich, Birchwood Kitchen- Chicago, IL
(Photo: courtesy of chrisbohnhoff.com)
In the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, Birchwood Kitchen is king of local and quality ingredients. The Pot Roast Sangwich (seasonal) is the epitome of it all. Finely tuned cheddar and pot roast, on an artisan baguette, get me one now!
Top 5 baby, here is where we get serious!
5. Breakfast Sandwich, Literati Café- Los Angeles, CA
(Photo: courtesy of foodspotting.com)
Take the prestigious nature out of Los Angeles and you will land at Literati Café. The Breakfast Sangwich is a house made ciabatta roll stuffed with three eggs, avocado, cheese, and applewood smoke bacon with a side of fresh salad. Grab a French press and a fresh squeezed orange juice and enjoy the morning. Ahhhhhh.
I’m over it, give me the goods.
4. Fried Fish Sandwich, Malibu Seafood Co- Malibu, CA
(Photo: courtesy of yelp.com)
Not only a sangwich but also a state of mind. Driving down the pacific highway of Malibu this shack is easily missed due to breathtaking views of the ocean across the street. But it is worth the stop. Fresh catches of the day are brought straight to the shop where you can grab anything from full fish to a fried sangwich. This fried sangwich is by far the freshest you will have. Enjoy it on a bench listening to your peace music and take it all in. I’m going going back back to Cali Cali.
This is where boys become men.
3. Tuna Muffuletta/Chicken Parmesan, Publican Quality Meats- Chicago, IL
(Photo: courtesy of redeyechicago.com)
There was a tie between these two because they both are rock stars. Paul Kahan masters perfection in the Italian classic and the Tuna Muffuletta? Fa-get-about-it!
The final stretch!
2. Serrano Ham and Manchengo, Bierkraft- Brooklyn, NY
(Photo: courtesy of seriouseats.com)
Located in Brooklyn, this sangwich hits all the notes. Salty, sweet, bitter, spicy- its one big party and your invited. Slivers of Serrano ham and sweetness of fig jam and spiciness of pepper jelly confuse the most sophisticated palettes. Whoa, next flight out to LaGuardia please.
And here comes the fireworks!!
1. VBQ Bahn Mi, Saigon Sisters- Chicago, IL
(Photo: courtesy of seriouseats.com)
There is no sense in filtering my feelings towards this sangwich. I would %$#% the %^(#* for this torpedo of excellence. My favorite sangwich is the Bahn Mi, I could have added more to the list but I thought to be diverse. Tucked away in the French Market in Chicago, This Vietnamese favorite packs flavor of BBQ, Thai basil, and jalapeño all in one bite. The crispy French baguette makes for the perfect vessel as well. Get one now or forever hold your peace.
I dare you to top my list, try me.
If you have any questions, comments, or dreams please email me, Jason Klarfeld at jklarfeld@urbaneater.co
Growing Up
(Image Courtesy of : newstimes.com)
Ever thought you would see a farm in the middle of one of the largest metropolitan cities in the country? Well three young entrepreneurs are doing so and they are growing up. 312 Aquaponics are testing a new farming ecosystem in the south side of Chicago in the old meat stockyard to grow fresh produce and fish. In the old Back of the Yards warehouse they are stacking up towers of freshly cultivated lettuce, to a variety of basil and more. The system works by taking the waste of their raised Tilapia which is then used to fertilize the plants and the nutrients from the produce is brought right back into water for the fish. The best part is weather doesn’t matter. Chicago can have access to local fresh product snow, rain, or shine. As long as there is electricity, this train will keep running. Once these boys battle through Chicago’s infamous red tape and with the help of grant money, hopefully these 312 Aquaponics will be able to create a new pipeline for restaurants and consumers to gain access to local food.
Here is the full article on 312 Aquaponics
If you have any questions, comments, or dreams please email me, Jason Klarfeld at jklarfeld@urbaneater.co
Farm To Taco
(image Courtesy of Kidltamae on Flickr)
Arriba!
Its Taco Tuesday and I don’t know about you but when I think tacos I think…farm? Yes, farm. Local ingredients right in your backyard are still producing the best goods to make even the best traditional Mexican street fare. You don’t believe me? Check out some of Chicago’s most praised taco joints doing just that.
Rick Bayless is a Chicago pioneer of not only farm to table cooking, but translating this into regional Mexican cuisine. His restaurant’s huge success and multitude of rewards has earned him the right as one of Chicago’s most inspirational chefs. He is the founder of the Frontera Farmer Foundation, an organization that supports small local farmers and has been active in Share Our Strength, the nation’s largest hunger advocacy organization.
There is no better way to spend a lazy Spring Saturday then posting up on a wine barrel and snarfing down a few el pastor tacos at Big Star. A continual nominee for the James Beard Award, Kahan does not have a problem throwing the pretension out the window of owning a few of the hottest names in Chicago Dining and opening up a ‘kick up your muddy boots’ taco bar out of a wicker park garage. His relationship with local farmers has been at the forefront of the quality of his food. His tacos, style, and local support is no different.
Tucked in an almost basement like walk up in Lakeview, Chilam Balam is taking Mexican/Mayan cuisine and taking it to a new and transformed level. They are a sustainable and local supportive restaurant that does not take for granted the resources around them. Their execution and Houdini like magic turning midwest product into flawless mexican cuisine has earned Chef Chuy Valencia a spot on Top Chef 2011. It is amazing how you can eat ethnically and eat locally all on the same plate.
Here is a recipe for Taco al Pastor from Paul Kahan’s Big Star.
You can go pick up the Pork Shoulder at Publican Quality Meats, supporting local farmers.
Tacos al Pastor
Active Time: 45 Minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes plus overnight marinating
Servings: Makes 12 Tacos
(Recipe Courtesy of www.foodandwine.com)
If you have any questions, comments, or dreams please email me, Jason Klarfeld at jklarfeld@urbaneater.co
Why I love good meat.
I have never been a fan of validating reasons to why I love good things. When asked why I love something, I begin to second guess myself because I can never quite put my finger on why. It reminds me of the movie Joe Dirt when Kicking Wing asks Joe why he likes firecrackers, “Might as well ask why is a tree good? Why is the sunset good? Why are boobs good?” You just do. There is no silver bullet to why anything is admired and most of the time the reasoning cannot be understood by anyone but you. Without question there is one part of my life that is clear-cut enough to confidently answer with my chest and chin out to the sky- I love good meat.
Now I am no food scientist or connoisseur. I could sit here and lecture you on how red meat is the food source with the highest levels of L-Carnitine - a key function in the manufacturing of bones, sperm, and cardiac function, but I am not going to do that. Mainly because I just found that out five minutes ago after I Google’d ‘benefits of red meat’. I am coming from the consumer’s mind, giving you a consumer’s opinion. I am just an average guy that likes to eat good meat.
It all started growing up as a little fat kid barraging the Old Country Buffet every Sunday with my grandparents. As most children would line up awaiting the hot mac n’ cheese, or the unlimited soft serve ice cream, I was a little different. In full sprint, I would grab my plate with my eyes focused towards the back of the buffet arena. Spin move! Swim move! Juke! Hard of breathing I would stand with my plate outward awaiting endless mounds of roast beef until I was cut off. If you thought it was impossible for a 10 year old to get meat sweats think again. Ever since, this elegant protein became the fuel to my being. After growing into my own and countless pork hangovers later, I became somewhat of a “meat snob”. Don’t get me wrong, I like to polish off a Big Mac just as much as the next guy but if it wasn’t a 12 oz Wagyu filet at Prime 112 or a 40-day dry aged Ribeye from David Burke’s, I was not particularly wooed.
It wasn’t until I moved to Chicago where I got slapped in the mouth and realized that I did not need to spend $75 on a slab of meat to get my rocks off. Humbled restaurants partnering with farms and local butchers are serving up cuts of the best product you can’t find anywhere else except right in your backyard. After awhile, it was not about wrapping the tenderloin in bacon or covering the Delmonico in bleu cheese and a truffle jus. I just wanted honest meat from good people. I love the story, the simplicity, and in essence made my experience more enjoyable. The great part about this higher quality standard is that it is being spread and utilized throughout restaurants and grocers all over the country. We can now access beef that is not only better for us but tastes better too. This is awesome.
So why do I love good meat you ask? Okay, maybe my answer is more drawn out then I thought. In short, eating farm fresh meat served up in close quarters and acknowledging the background of what is on your plate, makes for a greater appreciation of what you are eating. Looking at it now, this idea applies to almost everything in life, that a more intimate understanding builds on quality and experience. Lets keep this trend alive.
If you have any questions, comments, or dreams please email me, Jason Klarfeld at jklarfeld@urbaneater.co
